Chosen as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers and Atlantic Canada's Top Employers for 2010:
By Richard Yerema and Rachel Caballero, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Nov 2, 2009)
Some of the reasons why NB Power was selected as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2010:
provides maternity leave top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 15 weeks) for new and adoptive mothers
the head office features an onsite daycare facility, with over 40 available spaces, for employees with pre-school children
supports ongoing employee education through a variety of in-house training initiatives as well as tuition subsidies for courses at outside institutions, with no annual maximum
provides a flexible health benefits plan so employees can customize the coverage to suit their needs
has an employee lounge with music, television and a Wii system to promote a little physical activity during the day
provides peace-of-mind for employees nearing retirement through a defined benefit pension plan
Employer Background
NB Power Holding Corporation is a provincial Crown corporation and public utility that provides electricity to more than 370,000 residents in the province of New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada and along the eastern seaboard.
With roots dating back to the early 1880s, the company operates through four primary operating subsidiaries: NB Power Generation; NB Power Nuclear; NB Power Transmission; and NB Power Distribution and Customer Service. The company delivers electricity through 16 generating stations over a network of terminals, substations and power transmission lines.
Industry:Hydroelectric Power Generation. Established: 1920. Major Canadian Hiring Locations: Fredericton NB, Saint John NB, Moncton NB, Dalhousie NB, Belledune NB. Revenues: $1,712 million. Full-Time Employees in Canada: 2,465. New jobs created in Canada last year: 20. Longest serving employee: 46 years. Number of applications received at this location last year: 2,662. Percentage of employees who are women: 22%. Percentage of employees who are visible minorities: 6%. Average age of all employees: 45.
Rating: B+Physical Workplace
NB Power's physical workplace is rated as very good. While many employees work at facilities across the province and in the field, the company's downtown head office location provides beautiful views of the Saint John River, nearby walking trails, shopping, restaurants and a nearby fitness facility with discounted membership rates for employees. Inside, the head office features an employee lounge (with comfortable seating, music, television and video games, including a variety of Wii games to promote activity); nap room; religious observance room; concierge services available; onsite cafeteria (with healthy and special diet menu options and free healthy snacks while you work); secure bicycle parking; discounted memberships at nearby fitness facility.
Rating: B+Work Atmosphere & Communications
NB Power's work atmosphere is rated as very good. Employees at NB Power enjoy business casual dress; casual dress daily; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. At locations and departments across the company, employees enjoy a variety of fun social events, including summer barbeques, team building events and Christmas parties. The company communicates company news and encourages employee feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; email suggestion box.
Rating: B+Financial Benefits & Compensation
NB Power's financial benefits are rated as very good. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. In addition to competitive compensation, the company also provides defined benefit pension plan; matching RSP contributions; life & disability insurance; (The matching RSP plan is available for seasonal unionized employees that are not eligible for the defined benefit pension plan).
Rating: AHealth & Family-Friendly Benefits
NB Power's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The company's health benefits plan is self-insured by the company and managed by Medavie Blue Cross. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. The health plan is a flexible plan with adjustable premiums and coverage levels. Employees who work 18 hours per week receive coverage. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; eyecare ($200 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. NB Power's family-friendly benefits include; maternity top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 15 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 10 weeks); onsite daycare centre; with 41 spaces; 9 childcare workers; and a 18 month waiting list for available spaces; pre-arranged emergency short-term daycare. Additional family-friendly benefits include; compassionate top-up payment (to 93% of salary for 6 weeks) while caring for a family member; flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); reduced summer hours program; compressed work week.
Rating: BVacation & Personal Time-Off
NB Power's vacation and personal time-off are rated as average. New employees receive 3 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 10 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 2 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 75 paid sick days every year. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. NB Power provides a 2-month self-funded leave program. Employees have used the program to extend vacation time, take summers off, or visit friends and relatives who live overseas. The company also operates an unpaid educational and entrepreneurial leave program. Employees can take up to 2 year leaves of absence, during which time the employee's job position is held until their return.
Rating: B+Employee Engagement
NB Power's employee engagement program is rated as very good. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. NB Power hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).
Rating: A+Training & Skills Development
NB Power's training and skills development program is rated as exceptional. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of non-related tuition). The company encourages employees' career development through subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs; online training programs; online employee skills inventory; formal mentoring program.
Rating: B+Community Involvement
NB Power's community involvement program is rated as very good. NB Power Holding participates in a variety of local charitable initiatives. Last year, NB Power and its employees supported a number of initiatives across the province, including the United Way, Junior Achievers, Christmas Angels, Relay for Life, Festival of Lights, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Canadian Cancer Society and Royal Canadian Legion, to name a few.
